Alarm system



June 4, 1963 w. N. GARwxcK 3,092,820

ALARM SYSTEM Filed June 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MUM/4M /V, Cave/wcze,

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

W. N. GARWICK ALARM SYSTEM June 4, 1963 Filed June 12, 1959 77E/VEYS ALARM SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 12. 1959 PIG. 8.

United States Patent Oflice 3,092,820' Patented June 4, 1963 3,092,820 ALARM SYSTEM William N. Garwick, Kankakee, Ill. (1135 Cornelia St., Pomona, Calif.)

Filed June 12, 1959, Ser. No. 819,986 Claims. (Cl. 340-227) The present invention relates to 'an lelectrical fire and burglar alarm 'system for installation in a 'residential or commercial establishment.

Alarm 'systems presently in use in residenti-al or commercial establishments are `generally of the one circuit type employing the lighting system circuit. Frequently such :an alarm system is rendered inoperative due to interruption of the lighting system cr-icuit either by damage from fire or by unaut-horized and deli'berate 'cutting of the input portion 'of the circuit. Other 5systems presently in use or proposed have employed 'storage lbatteries for the source of electrical current. Such systems dependent upon storage batteries frequently fail to opera-te when desired due to the storage batteries losing their electrical charge.

An object 'of the present invention is to provide an -alarm system which employs the electrical lighting system `circuit as the primary source of electrical energy but has standby 'batteries in case 'the lighting system circuit fails for any reason.

Another object of the present invention is 'to provide an alarm `system which incorporates features of a fire alarm system with a burglar alarm system.

A further 'object of the present inventi'on is to provide lan alarm system which is automatic in operation, one having a minimum of components, one requiring minimal inspection and maintenance, :and one which is economically fe'asible.

These and other objects and advantages 'of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in conjuncti'on with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a plan view of `a building showing the system of the present invention installed itherein;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the furnace room of such a 'building as is shown in FGURE 1, showing a portion of the alarm system of the present invention installed therein;

FIGURE 3 is a view on an enla-rged scale, taken 'on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view partially in section `'of a portion of the assembly shown in FIGURE 3, as viewed from the opposite side;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view :of the 'assembly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, yas 'shown on line 5-5 fof FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a view partial'ly' in section of a remote switch actuating means employed in a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 .is 'a plan view of 'the 'assembly shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is 'a schematic view of the electrical circuit employed in the alarm system of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary elevati'onal view showing a portion of the system 'secured to a window of a building;and

FIGURE 10 is a paital elevational view showing a portion of the system secured to a door 'of -a building.

Referring `in greater 'detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts through'out the several views, in FIGURE l the reference numeral 20 designates generally the exterior wall of a residential building having a kitchen area 22 and a living room 'area 24. In FIGURE 2, the wall 20 encloses a basement 'area 26 in which there 2 is a fuel supply tank 28, a work ben'ch 'area 30, a furnace 32 fand a hot water tank 34. The reference numeral 36 designates generally a fuse box in 'the house lighting circuit and dotted lines, as at 38, suggest the possible loca- 'tions of a was'hing machine 'and dryer connected to the power lines which begin at the fuse box 36.

On another portion of the wall 20 is 'a gas meter 40 t'o which is `connected the various gas lappliances installed within the residence defined -by the wall 20.

ln FIGURE l, the dotted lines 'at 42 designate a television 'or radio receiver within the living room area 24, the `dotted lines 44 and 46 in the kitchen 'area 22 designate `generally a refrigerator 'a'n'd a stove, respectively.

One of 'the actuating components is 'shown in the living room area 24 and designated `vby the reference numeral 48 and another component i's shown 'in the ki'tchen area 22 and idesignated by the reference numeral 50'.

A master unit 'of :the system of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 2 'and designated by the reference numeral 52. In connection With each of 'the components 48 and 50 and the master unit 52, the numerals 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, and 64 represent 'lengths 'of fusible plastic cord constituting heat fusible elements employed in the alarm system of the present invention.

Referring to FIGURE 8, a ischernatic view of the circuit employed in the alarm :system of the present invention is shown with one 'of the lactua'tor or actuating components 48, 50, shown in circuit with unit 52, it being understo'od that more than one component 48 or 50 may be employed with the unit 52, if found practical.

In FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, the unit 52 is shown in detail While 'in FIGURES 6 and 7 the components 48 `and 50 are shown, i't being understood that the components 48 and 50 are identical and will be descn'bed with reference' to the component 48.

In the alarm system of the present invention there is 1a firs't 'circuit 66, 'and a second circuit 68. The first circuit co includes a pair of wires 70 leading to a source 'of electrical current, such as 110-volt residential lighting system circuit. The first circuit 66 includes ya first normally open switch 72 'and an electrical signal 'such as a 'hell or buzzer 74. As shown in FIGURE 8, the switch 72 includes fixed contacts '76 and 7 8 and a movable contact 80. The movable vcontact 80 is in circuit with the contact 78,,a neon glow lamp 82, resistor 84, and the wires 70.

v The master switch 86 is in circuit with the movable contact and fixed contact 78, lamp 82, and resistor 84 and when the switch 86 is closed Vand the 'circuit of the wires 70 is energized, the neon glow lamp 32 will be energized and illuminated.

The second circuit 68 includes fa source of electrical energy, such as 'a storage battery 88, a normally open switch 90 having -a fixed contact 92, a 'second fixed contact 94, and a movable contact 96.

The present invention provides a third normally closed switch 98 having fixed contacts 100 and 102 and a movavble contact 104. The switch 98 connects the first circuit 66 to the second circuit `68. The movable contact 104 is normally in electrical contact with the one fixed contact 100. A step-down transformer '106 has its primary in circuit with the pair of wires 7 0 through the movaible contact 80 and the fixed contact 76. The transformer 106 is normally not energized.

One terminal of the secondary of transformer 106 is connected to one of the fixed contacts 102 of switch 98. A signal lamp 108 is connected across said secondary. A buzzer 74 is connected across said secondary through the pole 104 of said switch 98 and said fixed contact 102. Said pole normally engages its other fixed 'contact 100. Connected across the 'secondary of said transformer is an V f o 3 electromagnet 110, which when energized, shifts the pole 104 from fixed contact 100 to fixed contact 102.

In FIGURE 8, the reference numeral 112 indicates, in dotted lines, a length of fusible plastic cord, constituting a` heat fusible element, one end of the cord being fixedly secured to a fixed object and the other end operatively connected 'to a tension spring 114. The cord 112 is shown operatively connected to the' mova-ble contacts 80 and 96 of the switches 72 and 90, respectively. A midportion of the cord 112 is supported upon a pulley 1116. Upon severing of the portion of the cord 112 between the switch 72 and the fixed one end, the spring 114 serves to shift the contacts 80 and 96 Vfrom the contacts 78 and 94 to the contacts 76 and 92, respectively. It is to be understood that -the cord 112 is a schematic representation only and may be any one of the cord lengths 58, 60, 62, or 64, as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, the unit 52 is shown in detail. It includes a base element 118 on which is mounted a U-shaped bracket 120 provided With a pluralityof aligned holes, as at 122 in FIGURE 4. Mounted in each pair of aligned holes 122 in the bracket 120 is a plunger l124, here shown as five in number, although more or fewer may be employed as the circumstances warrant.

In FIGURE 4, the endmost vone of the plungers 124 is shown to have the free end portion of the cord length 64 attached thereto, it being understood that the other cord lengths 58, 60, and 62 are attached to the other plungers 124. As the actions of all of the plungers 124 are identical, they will be described with reference to the plunger v124 having the cord length 64 attached thereto.

' The plunger 124 has a head 126 on the end remote from the attaching means for the cord length 64 and a spring 128 is interposed 'between the head 126 and the adjacent leg of the bracket 120. The spring 128 is represented in theschematic view, FTGURE 8, by the vspring 114.

.4 y164 having one end connected to the fusible elemen-t or cord length 54. A spring 166 is circumposed about the portion of the plunger 164 adjacent the other end and biases the plunger 164 for movement in a direction in which it will carry a bar 168 into contact with the operating button 170 of another microswitch 172.

The switch 172 is illustrated schematically in fFIG- URE 8.V A switch 174 is in circuit fwith the switch 172 and is mounted in a place accessible to an 'occupant of the building. A main switch 86, in the lighting circuit, is mounted on the -base element` 118 adjacent the other main switch 162.

It is to be understood that the component 50, shown mounted in the kitchen area 22 in 'FIGURE 1, is identical in all respects with .the component 48, above described.

For each cord length 54 or 56 with the component 48 and 50, i-t is understood that there is a separate Operating plunger 164.

In FIGURES 9 and 10, the reference numeral '176 represents a cord length extending between one of the components 48 or 50 and either the window sash 178 or an edge portion of a door 180, the opening of either one of which will sever the cord length 176 and effect the =actuation of the microswitch '172 in the 'component 48 or the component 50, as the case may be.

In operation, the switch components 48 and 50 are installed in suitable loc'ations so that the fusible element ,v may extend over the most probable sources of excessive -Facing the heads 126 and the plungers 124 is a bar i 130 carried on one end of a solenoid core 132. The core 132 is mounted for sliding movement within the solenoid coil 134 and has its end remote from the bar 130 secured to a non-metallic element or non-magnetic element 136 which has a portion adjacent one end projecting out of the coil 134.

A trip lever 138 is pivotally mounted upon a screw 140 secured in the base 118 and has one end provided with an upstanding leg 142 in the path of movement of the element 136. z The lever 138 carries a post 144 which bears against the free end of an act'uating arm 146 of the microswi'tch 72, shown schematically in FIGURE 8. The other microswitch 90, also shown lschematically in FIGURE 8, is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 to be mounted on the switch 72 with its actuating arm '148 provided with an extension 150 which overlies and abuts a midportion of the arm 146 of the switch 72. The electrical connections of the switches 72 and 90 to the other components of the unit 52 are not illustrated for re'asons of simplicity.

The switch 98, mentioned in connection with FIG- URE 8, is also mounted on the base 118. The act'uating 'arm 152 of the 'switch 98 is pivotally connected to lthe plunger 154 of the electromagnet 1-10.

The battery 88 and the transformer 106 are also mounted on the base element 118, as shown in FIGURE 3, and the neon glow lamp 82 is mounted in a suitable socket 156, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3, suita- =bly supported on the base element 118. The lamp 108 is similarlyV mounted adjacent the glow lamp 82. A test light 158 and push 'button switch 160 are also mounted on the base element 118 and are shown, in FIGURE 8, to be in circuit with 'the battery 88 and a main switch 162, the latter also being mounted on the 'base element 118, as shown in FIGURE 3. V

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be seen that the component 48 is similarly provided with a sliding plunger heat such as the TV or radio 42 in the living room area 24 or over the refrigerator 44 and stove 46 in the kitchen area 22. Likewise, the unit 52 is established in a location and securely fixed to a proper supportso that the cord lengths 58, 60, 62, and 64, and as many other cord lengths as may be found practical may extend over the most probable causes of excessive heat in the basement, FIGURE 2. Upon tripping or melting 'of the cord lengths of the components 48 or 50, the associated microswitch 172 is energized. The switch 172 is connected in circuit With the solenoid coil 134 and when the latter is energized, the core 132 shifts the lever 138 to the position in which the post 144 moves out of engagement with the free end of the arm 146, permitting the Springs within the switches 72 and to shift their movable contacts 80 and 96 from engagement with the contacts 78 and 94 (FIGURE 8), to contacting engagement with the other fixed contacts 76 and 92, respectvely.

The neon glow 'lamp 82 is normally illurninated, showing that the circuit off the lighting system is intact 'as far as the 'alarm system lof the present invention is concerned. Upon closin-g of the contact '80 'With the contact 76, 'the transfonmer `106 is energized and the relay electromagnet 110 is energized to draw the mov'able contact 104 from the contact into contact with the contact 102. o This illuminates the lamp 108 and effects the sounding of the signal or buzzer 74. V V

If the light'ing system circuit is distunbed in any way so that the -tnansformer 106 cannot be energized, the electromagnet 110 will not be energized 'and the switch 98 will stay in .the position shown in FIGURE 8. This connects the 'battery 88 to the-buzzer 74 throughV the contact92 and movable contact 96, after 'the associated fusible element 'as ibeen broken and the Iassociated plunger 124 is permitted to press inwardly the core '132 of the solenoid coil ;134 and effect the shifting of the post 144 in the'same manner as occurs when the solenoid coil :134 is enengized 'as heretofore described.

'It will be seen, therefore, rth'at upon resett'ing of the lever 138 to the position in 'which the post 144 bears 'against the microswit'ch arms 146 and 148, the system is returned to normal and current is present in the wires 70, the neon 'glow 'lamp '82 be energized to signal that 'the system is in ready condition.

The only attention necessary to 'give-the system after resetting it is van ocroasional test of the condition of the battery 88 by pressing of the pus'hbutton switch and speaseo cbserving the relative strength of the battery 88 by the degree or" illumination of the light 153.

Another test that may 'be made in order to ensure the system is in working condition is to manually operate the core 132 of the solenoid coil 134, pressing the l-atter so as to disengage the arms 146 and 148 from the post 144 and effect the energization of the contacts 76 and Z in the switches 72 and 9G to set into operation the buzzer 74 either by the current from the wires 7d or from the bla-ttery S3 in case there is no current in the wires 70.

W rat is clairned is:

l. In an alarm system, a first circuit including a first source of electrical current, a first normally 'open switch, an electrical signal device, and means to energize said lsignal device from said first source responsive to closure of said switch, a second circuit including a second source of electrical current, a second normally open switch, and a third normaily closed switch, said second source, second normally open switch, and third normally closed switch being 'connected in circuit with said signal device, means urging said first land second switches toward closed position, 'a common severable, heat `fusible element operatively connected to said 'first and second switches for holding 'both of the latter 'in 'open position, relay means controlling said third switch and opening same when energzed, and circuit means connecting said relay means to said first source through said first switch, whereby to open said third switch responsive to closure of said first switch.

2. In an alarm system, a first circuit including a first source of electrical current, a first normally open switch, a nelectrical signal device, and means to energize said signal device from said first source responsive to closure of said switch, a second circuit including a second source of electrical current, a second norm-ally open switch, and a third normaily closed switch, said second source, second normally open switch, and third normally closed switch being connected in circuit with said signal device, spring means urging said first and second switches toward closed position, a common ser/enable heat fusible element openatively :connected to said first and 'second switches for holding both of the latter in open position, relay means controlling said third switch and opening same when energized, circuit means connecting said relay means to said first source through said first switch, whereby to open said third switch responsive to closure of said first switch, and manually actuable means operatively connected to said first and second switches for actu-ating both 'of the latter at times to closed positions independently of said spring means.

3. In an alarm system, a first circuit including a first source of electrical current, a first normally open switch, an electrical signal device, and means to enengize said signal device from said first source responsive to closure of said switch, a second circuit including a second source of electrical current, a second normally open switch, and a third normally closed switch, said second source, second nonnally open switch, and third normally closed switch being connected in circuit with said signal device, spring means urging said first and second switches toward closed position, a common severable, heat fusible element operatively connected to said first 'and second switches for holding both of the latter in open position, relay means controlling said third switch and vopening same When energized, circuit means connecting said relay means to said first source through said first switch, whereby to open said third switch lresponsive to closure of said first switch, and a solenoid operatively coupled to said first and second switches for actuating both of the latter to closed positions independently of said spring means.

4. ln an alarm system, a tfin'st circuit 'including a -first source of electrical current, a finst normally open switch, van electrical signal device, and means to energize said signal device from said first sounce responsive to closure of said switch, a second circuit including a second source.

of electrical current, a second normally open switch, and a third normal'iy lclosed switch, said second source, second normally open switch, 'and third normally closed switch being connected in circuit with said signal device, means urging said first and second switches toward closed position, a common severable heat fusible element comprising 'a length of fusib'le plastic cord having one end openatively connected to said first and 'second switches and having its other end 'connected to a fixed object for holding both of the first and second switches in 'open positions, relay means controlling said third switch 'and opening same when energized, and circuit means connecting said relay means to said first source through said first switch, whereby to open said third switch responsive to closure of said first switch.

5. In an alarm system, a `first circuit including a first source of electrical current, 'a first normally Open switch, an electrical signal device, 'and means to enengize said signal device from said first 'source responsive to 'closure of said switch, a second circuit including a second source of electrical current, a second normally open switch, and a third normally closed switch, said second source, second normaliy open switch, and third -norm'ally closed switch being connected in circuit with said signal device, spring 'means urging said first and second switc'hes toward closed position, a cornmon severable, heat fusible element comprising a length of fusib'le plastic cord having one end operatively connected to said first and second switches and having its other end connected to a fixed ;object for holding both the first 'and second switches in open positions, relay means controlling said third switch and opening same twhen enengized, circuit means connecting said relay means to said 'first source through said first switch, whereby to open said third switch responsive to closure of said first switch, and m'anually 'actu'able means operatively connected to said first and second switches for actuating both of the latter 'at times to 'closed positions independently of said spring means.

Goldberg June 7, 1955 Bland Feb. 21, 1956 

3. IN AN ALARM SYSTEM, A FIRST CIRCUIT INCLUDING A FIRST SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT, A FIRST NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH, AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL DEVICE, AND MEANS TO ENERGIZE SAID SIGNAL DEVICE FROM SAID FIRST SOURCE RESPONSIVE TO CLOSURE OF SAID SWITCH, A SECOND CIRCUIT INCLUDING A SECOND SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT, A SECOND NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH, AND A THIRD NORMALLY CLOSED SWITCH, SAID SECOND SOURCE, SECOND NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH, AND THIRD NORMALLY CLOSED SWITCH BEING CONNECTED IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID SIGNAL DEVICE, SPRING MEANS URGING SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES TOWARD CLOSED POSITION, A COMMON SEVERABLE, HEAT FUSIBLE ELEMENT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES FOR HOLDING BOTH OF THE LATTER IN OPEN POSITION, RELAY MEANS CONTROLLING SAID THIRD SWITCH AND OPENING SAME WHEN ENERGIZED, CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID RELAY MEANS TO SAID FIRST SOURCE THROUGH SAID FIRST SWITCH, WHEREBY TO OPEN SAID THIRD SWITCH RESPONSIVE TO CLOSURE OF SAID FIRST SWITCH, AND A SOLENOID OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES FOR ACTUATING BOTH OF THE LATTER TO CLOSED POSITIONS INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID SPRING MEANS. 